Paws and Pride: Brewing Opportunity for AHS Students   Low Moor, VA (Sept. 25, 2026) - A cup of coffee, a school T-shirt and a few “Cougar Bucks” are helping Alleghany High School students learn lessons that go well beyond the classroom. Alleghany High School has opened the Paws and Pride store and coffee bar, a school-based business designed to give special education students hands-on vocational experience while encouraging positive behavior throughout the school. What began as a simple idea for a coffee cart has grown into a school-based enterprise that brings together a retail store, coffee bar and classroom learning. Principal Derek Cantrell, Assistant Principal Jennifer Raether, and teacher Corey Bowles, led a team effort to turn the idea into a working enterprise, bringing together school staff and community partners to make the project a reality. School staff worked with the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, or DARS, to develop the concept and create a real-world learning environment. Shane Reid, retired supervisor of maintenance and transportation for Alleghany Highlands Public Schools, oversaw construction of the store, which is located near the school cafeteria, using custom designs provided by school staff. “We wanted to create something real-world, fun and exciting for these students — something they could look forward to,” Raether said. “It gives our special education students a great opportunity to gain real-world experience in business and industry.” The coffee cart idea also opened the door to a broader academic experience. Thanks to Assistant Principal Charity Hale, the Paws and Pride enterprise became the focus of a school-based enterprise class led by Seth Bradley, work-based learning coordinator for Alleghany Highlands Public Schools, allowing students to earn full academic credit while helping operate the business. For two students in the marketing class at Jackson River Technical Center, Paws and Pride provides a work-based learning opportunity that allows them to take concepts learned in the classroom and apply them in an authentic business environment. Student managers Mason Hale and Jalen Raether are helping lead the enterprise while gaining hands-on experience that aligns with their plans to pursue careers in business. Their responsibilities include tracking inventory, placing supply orders with Roberta Crizer, surveying their peers about product preferences, analyzing customer feedback and creating management spreadsheets.  Their leadership responsibilities will also extend beyond the day-to-day operations as the enterprise grows. The student managers will teach special education students how to maintain inventory systems, creating opportunities for students to learn from and support one another.  Beyond the classroom, Paws and Pride has become part of Alleghany High School’s positive behavior incentive program. Students earn “Cougar Bucks” from teachers, staff members and administrators when they are recognized for demonstrating positive behavior. “The idea is for students to come to the store on Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch and use their Cougar Bucks to purchase items,” Jennifer Raether said. “We’re encouraging the Cougar Buck program to promote positive behavior throughout our building, and I will tell you, it has worked beautifully.” The store is open Tuesdays and Thursdays during designated hours, offering snacks, water and school merchandise. The coffee bar opens every other Friday and serves hot and cold specialty drinks, including its signature Cougar Claw. Students can use Cougar Bucks or cash to make purchases. The enterprise received an early boost during a soft opening on Sept. 17, when students redeemed 165 Cougar Bucks and made $22 in cash purchases. Proceeds will be reinvested in the store and the school’s incentive program. The hands-on experience through Paws and Pride complements Alleghany Highlands Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education offerings by allowing students to apply classroom learning in a working school-based business. And for the AHS community, Paws and Pride provides a place where learning, positive behavior and career preparation come together. “Paws and Pride is a wonderful example of what can happen when our schools, staff and community partners come together to create meaningful opportunities for students,” Superintendent Kim Halterman said. “This enterprise allows students to learn by doing, build skills they can carry into the future, and see the value of their contributions to our school community.” As Paws and Pride continues to grow, Cantrell said the store could eventually expand to include other schools, allowing more students and the broader AHPS community to see the student-run enterprise in action and support its growth. School leaders are also talking with another Virginia school that has a successful student-run store to learn more about its program and ideas they could use as Paws and Pride grows.  As Paws and Pride continues to grow, community support will play an important role in its success. Sponsorship opportunities are available at several levels. Businesses and community members interested in becoming a sponsor may contact Roberta Crizer at roberta.crizer@ahps.k12.va.us for information about sponsorship levels. Donations are also welcome and will help support the Paws and Pride Store. Donations may be dropped off at Alleghany High School in an envelope marked with Roberta Crizer’s name. Checks should be made payable to Alleghany High School with “Paws and Pride Store” noted in the memo line.

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